Davie University QB Gunnar Holcombe commits to Marshall

By Chris Hays | Orlando Sentinel

Davie University High quarterback Gunnar Holcombe committed to Marshall on Sunday, one day after Daytona Beach Seabreeze quarterback Trenton Norvell decommitted from the Thundering Herd and flipped to Cincinnati.

Holcombe announced on his Facebook page about 2 p.m. Sunday, "i jus wanna thank god for the opportunity of being able to take my talents to the next level! I will be attending Marshall Univeristy, WE ARE MARSHALL!" (sic)

The rangy, 6-foot-4, 200-pounder has offers from Marshall, USF, Buffalo and Western Michigan. Holcombe still has not taken any official visits.

Once Norvell decommitted Saturday, the Sentinel reached out to Holcombe to see how that would affect his situation, but Holcombe said he could not talk then. Attempts to reach him Sunday were unsuccessful.

Holcombe had a standout sophomore season at Plantation American Heritage, where he threw for 1,359 yards and 19 touchdowns and had just 5 interceptions. He did complete just 49 percent of his passes at 95-of-195.

Then he decided to transfer to University, where he walked the sidelines most of his junior season behind record-breaking quarterback Doug Cook, who earned Broward County player of the year -- threw for nearly 3,500 yards and 34 touchdowns -- from the Sun-Sentinel after leading the Suns to a 14-1 record and a runner-up finish in the 2B state title game.

Holcombe and the Suns appeared well on the way to a possible encore return to the state championship game, but they ran into a bit of a road block in another American Heritage school, this one of Delray Beach. University lost to Delray-AH 31-20 in the region final, ending the season at 11-1.

The things most notably that Holcombe needs to work on is his touch passes, as, even he admits, throws the ball too hard on shorter routes instead of concentrating on making the play.

He's also a bit slow, at 4.9 seconds in the 40-yard dash, but his long legs make up the ground in his drop. The lack of speed could be one reason many schools stayed away from offering. He runs a 4.9 40-yard dash and is a true, drop-back passer.

On the plus side, he does have nice velocity on his throws and has a keen knack for getting the ball to receivers in a perfect spot for them to make a play while giving defenders no chance at the ball.

Holcombe had a great senior season, throwing for 2,294 yards and 29 touchdowns.